Cleaning and Sanitizing Your Washing Machine Inside and Out

A washing machine is an essential appliance of your house, and it should keep properly functioning for maintaining a constant smile on the face of the members of the house.

It sounds hilarious, but the cleaning of clothes regularly is very important as well as essential. So, the appliance that aids in this work must also have sound functioning.

The washing machine, top load or front load needs routine cleaning to keep it functioning well. The failure to do so will create bad odors, germ and bacteria build up. The washing machines need to be cleaned from the outside as well as from the inside effectively.

There is a simple process which will keep your laundry smelling fresh and squeaky clean. But are you confused about the selection of natural or artificial agents to clean it? Here is a complete guide to all the ingredients and the methods that can be applied to get a clean washing machine.

1. Cleaning the gasket and the door

The doors are the areas which need cleaning after each washing cycle. The rubber of the door tends to accumulate foam and the residue. It needs regular cleaning as the deposits may convert into molds (black or white) and bacteria. A cotton towel may be used for this purpose. The rubber gasket is pulled and inspected to see the buildup of mold, mildew or any piece of cloth. Wipe the area clean with a soft damp cotton towel. The area should be dried using a dry cloth.

If some stubborn residue doesn’t get removed with plain water, use a towel soaked in hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar. This surely will loosen up all the grease and mold deposits. The area will be disinfected, and the machine will be ready for the next use.

2. De-scaling the inner drum

The repeated washes in a top load washing machine or a front load washing machine lead to deposition of limescale in the washer. This can be removed by the process called de-scaling. The de-scaling pouches are available in the market as well as online. The contents of the pack can be emptied in the dispenser, and the washing machine can be run on a usual cycle but with the temperature at 90-degree Celsius. This will open all the closed pores due to lime deposits. Also, it will clean all the inlet and outlet pipes.

A natural ingredient for the same purpose is white vinegar and baking soda. These two contents, when mixed in equal amounts in the dispenser tray, will react vigorously to clean the inner drum. One cup baking soda is added to the detergent dispenser, and one cup vinegar is added into the drum. Then the washing machine is set to a normal cycle without clothes. This will thoroughly clean the washing machine and deodorize it.

In case of stubborn deposits, the washer should be set for the hottest temperatures. Then two cups of vinegar should be added to the drum. Even the quantity of baking soda should be doubled in the detergent dispenser. After some minutes of agitating of the machine, the machine can be stopped or paused for one hour. This will allow the vinegar solution to act on the extra dirty areas.

After that, let the cycle be finished. This way your machine will get rid of all sort of buildup and soften the soap scum that may be blocking the washer and the hoses.

Hydrogen peroxide is also known to help in these situations. It is a strong chemical agent. It is eco-friendly also as it dissolves in water to form oxygen and hydrogen. It is easily available in the market in 3% solution form and there are more reasons to use it for your laundry.

Lemon juice solution can also be used as lemon is readily available and is a natural cleaning agent. And obviously who doesn’t love the smell of lemon?

After the washing cycle is finished, clean the drum using a soft and clean cloth. Keep the door ajar for a few hours to remove moisture since moisture can lead to rusting of the inner machinery.

For any sort of machinery related fault or in case your machine is not working after a wash or due to some technical you can call TX Appliance repair and look for professional help. It is advisable to always consult professional repair service than finding DIY solutions which can lead to dangerous accidents.

3. The exterior of the machine

The machine needs cleaning outside daily. Cleaning thoroughly all the hidden areas will keep the washing machine perfectly working for years. These areas have cobwebs formed which need to be removed on a regular basis.

The exterior and control panel can be cleaned with a gentle all-purpose cleaning spray. To clean the outside of the machine, a cloth soaked in vinegar can also be used. This removes any dust and dirt buildup. Please take care that the cloth doesn’t get too wet which is to be used on the control panels.

4. Cleaning the soap dispenser

The soap or detergent dispenser needs cleaning every fortnight. This tray tends to accumulate scum and dirt. So, the detergent dispenser tray is removed from the machine by pressing it. Its interior and exterior are cleaned thoroughly using a toothbrush. Soapy warm water does the required job. If the stains are too stubborn, use vinegar. After cleaning the tray needs to be dried using a clean cloth before inserting it back.

5. Filter

Cleaning the filter of the machine should also be done every month. The machine is unplugged, and the water source is turned off. Now, the hose is removed from the faucet, and the filter is removed and cleaned. It can be cleaned in running water. The hardened debris may be removed using a toothbrush. Also in a front loading washing machine, there is a front door filter at the bottom. Access this filter using a coin and remove the water and debris and other objects from it.

With all these steps and solutions, the washing machine will surely smell fresh and look sparkling clean. The laundry issues are solved. But an important maintenance tip is to keep the door of the washing machine open for some hours to allow air to circulate inside. Also, avoid using chlorine or bleaching agent for cleaning purposes as it may be harmful to the drum as well as the hoses.

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